Okay I have not updated in nearly 4 months, and that is pathetic. I know how annoying that is for the readers, and I can't apologise enough. I'm so sorry. And this took ages as it was hard to get back into the right mood. I want to finish this as quickly as possible now, as I have mucked about not updating for ages.

Saw Toy Story 3 today (: wow I'm cool.

Chapter 13

Seeing Hermione up and smiling again was all I needed. The second I saw her jump off the train, I ran up to her and hugged her, a year's worth of hugs. All the doubt I felt washed away with just the one hug. This summer I could spend unlimited time with my little girl.

"Hermione!" I squeaked, crying into her hair. "My little girl." She gingerly patted my arm, seeing how distraught I was.

After she said her goodbyes to her friends, I bombarded her with questions about the mystery and her friends and her health. She answered truthfully, and with details as she knew being lied too would just make me more frightened. When there was a pause in my question asking, David took advantage of the silence to give Hermione a shy hug.

"Looking forward to France then, Mione?" He used his nickname that Hermione so disliked, but she smiled anyway and warmly hugged him back.

"Oh yes! I'm so excited and I haven't seen you two in ages!" She exclaimed, grateful for the subject change.

We set off for Dijon the next day, like a normal family, in a car, as we drove the long distance. We stayed in a villa and with a room adjacent to Hermiones. I find it hard to admit to this bit, but I would go and watch her sleep sometimes. This makes me sound like a stalker but to see my little girl dozing about who knows what, and to imagine if she's remembering the magical year she just had.

In France, we spent an enchanting two months exploring, acting like stereotypical tourists. Hermione was also delighted to find out the history of witchcraft in the area, something I wasn't amazed to hear about. I wanted Hermione to spend a holiday with her parents, without any mention of that.

We took a day trip to Paris, to Disneyland. She was sniffy about this, declaring that "All this stuff is so cheesy- if only they could see what magic really is"

She also kept in regular correspondence with her friends too, and I stopped asking questions about them, as I wanted her summer to be focused on us. And it sort of was. She acted like a perfect daughter around us, being just as marvelled at the tourist attractions as us.

We were all tired in the car ride back. David was listening intently to the radio, with one hand on the wheel casually. I tried to read a book, but settled for dozing with my head against the window. Hermione in the back was reading the Wizarding newspaper 'The Daily Prophet'

I twisted round in my seat to talk to her. "Hermione, dear, I thought next week we could have an early birthday dinner for you, considering you'll be at that school for your actual birthday!"

She lowered her newspaper slightly. "Oh." She said awkwardly, looking out the window," I'm sorry Mum, but I arranged to stay in Diagon Alley with the Weasleys."

"But-"I stuttered. I didn't know why I was arguing. I had spent a beautiful summer with my daughter.

"When are you leaving, Hermione?" David asked.

"Oh, I was hoping tomorrow."

"That means I don't get any time with you!" I gasped.

"Look I'm sorry Mum, but I haven't seen them in ages." She didn't sound that sorry, in fact she sounded quite defiant.

"And I won't see you for another year!" I said, with more emotion than needed. Hermione shot a warning look at David, and he grasped my hand, while trying to dodge past the other cars.

I didn't talk to Hermione that night, when she unpacked, or in the morning, when we drove her to the Leaky Cauldron, the hotel she'd be staying in with her friend Ginny Weasley. I didn't cry when I hugged her tightly, but she seemed to appreciate the words I didn't say, and hugged me tighter. "Love you!" She murmured.

I watched her walk over to the large Weasley family, as she chattered with Ron and hugged the little girl, Ginny. She had a large wad of notes in her pocket, as David said she could choose her birthday present.

"I'm going to miss her too, Susan!" He told me, but I ignored him. I was contemplating about my little girl. I was crying inwardly, as I didn't want Hermione to see me in this state. I was feeling oddly annoyed at myself for being pathetic, because I had spent a loving summer with her. The irritation just added to me feeling sorry for myself, when I should have known I had a beautiful daughter who loved me, through whatever.

I really don't like this chapter. It seems kind of flat. Dialogue-wise.